Sharing the Dance and Culture of Uvea | Creative New Zealand

Sharing the Dance and Culture of Uvea

16 Aug 2018

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NEWS

Pacific Dance New Zealand has announced Steev Laufilitoga Maka is the Pacific Dance Artist in Residence 2018.

Steev Laufilitoga Maka is a master dance artist with over a quarter of a century's experience in professional Pacific regional arts and culture including seventeen years with the 'Pacifique et Compagnie New Caledonian Theatre Company and School', and eight-years working with Tongan based Pacific arts initiative 'On The Spot.'

"I grew up in New Caledonia but originally I am from Uvea and I am one-hundred percent Uvean and Futunan. I have a background in theatre and acting but I am very excited to have this opportunity to share what I know about my own culture and connect to other cultures and communities here in Aotearoa. It is not just about me sharing what I know but about making and extending that connection especially within the special mix I see here in Glen Innes," says Steve.

Steev's eight-week residency at the Te Oro Arts Centre in Glen Innes from August until October will see him working with 150 children from Pt England Primary School, youth from the local Ruapotaka Marae and also delivering public classes at Te Oro.

The Pacific Dance Artist in Residence programme is now in its ninth-year. Past artists have included: Justin Haiu (Youth dance), Tuiahai Tuiafitu (Tonga), Julia Grey (Nesian dance) in Auckland as well as Tuaine Robati (Cook Islands) and Tupe Lualua (Samoa) in Wellington. The residency allows a senior dance artists to work in a community to deliver dance forms and share their skills with local communities. It is offered to the public by Pacific Dance NZ with funding assistance from Creative New Zealand.